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Contact: Tony DuShane |
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Hick was my favorite novel of 2007, so I'm very excited to see the film version. Wieland gives us an early preview: HICK is a tour-de-force. It's been a few days since I've had to process the zillion films I've been in and out of in those lovely, sunny, hectic Toronto days of 2011. So far, I've been haunted by two films... both with leading female characters and both, extremely thought provoking and, in some cases, chilling. Let's start with the good news. I, for one, as a woman am sick of hearing stories like THE ACCUSED. I am, also, not a big fan of JUNO. However, in everything I've read thus far, in the blogosphere... there seems to be a kind of bile aimed at the film HICK for not being one or the other. To whit: The film, directed by Derick Martini (LYMELIFE) is about a 13-year-old girl named Luli (Chloe Moretz) who runs away from home and gets more than she bargained for. If this movie were THE ACCUSED, I would have walked out. We've all seen that film, in one version or another, a thousand times. You could see something like that on Lifetime TV, probably tonight, if you so wanted. However, what I find intriguing about this film is the dark, humorous, black comedy, violence, danger and SURPRISE of the film. Like our thirteen-year-old protagonist, you never really know what's coming next. And, yes, you do get beat up. But, shockingly, you then, somehow, managed to get lured back in. As the audience, you almost take on the role of Luli, see the world through her eyes, and, yes, in the end, most importantly... you survive in a more transcendent place. (Not to spoil too many viewers, but she learns a lesson I think everyone in America should be learning right about now.) I wasn't surprised to hear this film was adapted from the semi-autobiographical novel, HICK, by Andrea Portes, as only a girl would have the guts and insight to write a piece about such tragedy with such humor. (I mean, come on, who wants to write a book where they're crying the whole time? More importantly, who wants to read one?) However, I cried about three times in this film, during the third act. I was, also, shocked to see what an amazing performance was given by Blake Lively. Who knew? In fact, the performances by Chloe Moretz and villain/Marlboro man Eddie Redmayne, playing Eddie with an impeccable accent and cowboy way (despite the fact that he's ENGLISH)... was riveting. I'll see this film again just to watch the nuanced performances of these two brilliant young actors. Honestly, these kids are good. And, yes, as much as this may bug the latest neo-Victorians who seem to have come out of the woodwork on this one... these two have undeniable chemistry. I give this film a muthaf@cking 10 out of 10. -Stephanie Wieland Thanks Stephanie for being our Drinks with Tony correpospondent.
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france dushane is a jehovah's witness, go to francedushane.com |
